Bragging vs sharing

[babblingbrook]

So, this is something I'm trying to work out. How do you go about sharing things without feeling like it crosses over into bragging? There are times when I am excited about something and want to share it, but in the middle of saying it I will think, Wait does this sound like I'm bragging? I feel like a big doofus who never knows what the hell I'm doing, and I certainly don't think people should envy me.

[Aquitane]

I think people "get" when it is just sharing. Like, "Sometimes I worry about whether I'm being a good mom, but Susie's teacher called today to say that she did this good thing at school....." Or if you are excited about going on a trip with your family. I don't consider that bragging at all.

I have a friend I really love, but she has a major issue with this. She brags A LOT. With her I know when its bragging because its about how much $$$ her husband is making, like, "Sam is working sooo many hours, but since he became VP and is making $250K, I guess I can't complain." Or it's about how they are looking at a house that is a zillion square feet or how they ALWAYS stay at the Polynesian hotel at Disney because others are sooo unacceptable.
THAT'S bragging.

When she's talking about her kids or great things she did herself, there's just a change I can't explain. Personally I think she "needs" the bragging to feel good about her situation.

Also, I don't think that bragging is necessary a bad thing, it just needs to be done in moderation. Hope that helps.

[lotus.blossom]

I think there is a whole lot of variables..... If its sharing in the context of a conversation, but not one-upping the person then I think its ok. But when you run your mouth to a whole lot of people about things that they have no interest in, then its probably bragging.

For instance, my ds is an early walker. I brag about him up and down to the grandparents but I keep my mouth shut around other moms unless they bring it up.

[babblingbrook]

Thanks for the input! That is a good rule about bragging only to people who would appreciate it--AKA grandparents! That is what I do currently. It gets confusing when you are around people who are super competitive.

[blizzard_babe]

I'm pretty over-sensitive to this myself... to the point where a coworker mentioned to me the other day that she thinks DS is really bright for his age, and I felt bad that SOMEONE ELSE was talking up my kid's abilities.

I know there's a line between "talking about" and "bragging about," but I'm so paranoid about staying on the not-bragging side that I sometimes don't even talk about things .

[Arduinna]

I don't know, I've seen plenty of people assume someone is bragging when they aren't. Usually it is a result of a difference in financial status. And then there are the people obsessed with how much someone else paid for something. I've had 2 friends that were obsessed with the cost of things to the point that anytime you got something new they always asked how much it cost. Personally I never ask how much something cost unless I'm shopping for that product.